Amy, 23, Lottie, 22

Amy: 'We’re both from Lymington in Hampshire. We’re volunteering on the bars and we’re doing this [free hugs] for nothing because we like to make people happy and smile. I travelled round Australia doing it, dressed as a fairy, on Monday mornings, in cities! I needed to do something to overcome fears within myself and make people happy at the same time. Then I came back to England and met Lottie and started doing it here. Now I know I can do anything. I’m a self-employed hairdresser and hula-hoop instructor, and I’ve got a free hugs website.' Lottie: 'And I work in a pub. I love it. This is my first time free hugging at a festival. We’re getting an amazing reception. We’re high on hugs. We’ve had children running from every angle. People think there’s a catch, but there isn’t. It’s beautiful.'

Matthew, two

Delilah, 20

'My grandparents are here, and my younger sister, and my friend with her baby - I love the family vibe. It's my granny's first festival experience, unless there's one they went to in the 70s they're not telling me about … They're not hippies in the slightest – they're more intellectual scholar types. Actually, my grandad, who designed the Roxy Music album sleeves, is quite hippie-ish.'

Chris, 48, and Robbie, 12

Chris: 'I used to be in a hardcore band in the late 80s and early 90s called Silverfish. They called us Noise You Can Dance To.' Robbie: 'They were scary, but it seemed like fun.' Chris: 'My band now is called Lamppost Gullivers. Camp Bestival has some interesting acts. I enjoyed Adam and the Ants. I avoided watching the Olympic Opening Ceremony that they had on a giant screen. I left Hackney to get away from that!'

Ian, 25

'I’m in a band called To Kill a King. We played on Friday. This is a far more family-friendly festival, which makes a change. Shamefully, I’ve not been to Glastonbury. We saw some good BMX tricks, which you don’t usually see at a festival.'

Barbara, 47, and Gary, 46

'We’re from Winfrith, just up the road from here. We think it does the area some good, actually. We used to live in this village and when it was on it was OK. We go to Glastonbury every year so we’re used to festivals and know what they can be like. We don’t have to camp – we go home to a bed and showers every night. We enjoyed Chic, Earth Wind and Fire and Kool and the Gang. We won't be raving all night – we’re too old for all that. Chemical indulgence? Nothing we want to talk about!'

Polly, 29

'I’m Rosemary the Bestival Blue Coat. Every year we have a naming ceremony and this year I got "Rosemary". Blue Coats have to provide as much fun as possible. We did the Silly Olympics this year, with lots of crazy, wonky games, like "starchery" – potato-throwing – "kleptofun", where you have to steal things from people, three-legged egg and spoon racing, and "binocular football" where you have to wear wonky glasses. Oh, and we just had the 2012 gurning competition. The winner was a seasoned pro.'

Ben, 14, and Ethan, 12

Ethan: 'The best thing was the fairies who gave out free hugs. It was quite interesting that they were doing it for free and because they enjoyed seeing people happy. And I liked Rizzle Kicks.' Ben: 'There have been some top-class acts. I enjoyed Earth Wind and Fire and Adam Ant. It’s nice to have bands for younger people, like Rizzle Kicks, unlike Latitude, which didn’t have much for younger audiences. This is much more children-friendly than Latitude.'

Emma, 24, and Naomi, 25

Emma: 'I liked the skateboarding and breakdancing competition. Did I take part? No! I wasn't brave enough. The stunt bikers were great, too.' Naomi: 'We saw Delilah, she was good. I like the family vibe here. It’s a safe, friendly environment for kids. And it’s got the best, cleanest facilities – the showers are clean, and the loos. You don’t hear that very often at a festival.'

Zed, 51

'I’m with the family, and my band, the Dulwich Ukulele Club. We’re on at 11.15am. We’ve organised a kids' chorus, and we're playing with the Bestival Orchestra. It was good to see Kool and the Gang, Chic and Earth Wind and Fire – I didn’t see them back in the day, I was only a teenager. And it’s always good to see a David Rodigan set.'

Matthew, 36, Kate, 35, Lucy, 15, Heidi, three, Leia, two

Kate: 'Leia’s been dancing. Heidi’s favourite was Mr Tumble, and the kids played in the soft area. The Indian tightrope walking was good.' Matthew: 'Adam Ant was great.' Lucy: 'My highlights were Rizzle Kicks and Stooshe – they’re cheeky and funny.'

Jamie, 37, and Roscoe, three

'I played here with my band. We’re a folky rock band. We’ve played a few festivals, but this is our biggest so far. Did I read the furore about "festival dads"? No. I don’t listen to radio, and we don’t have a TV. We’re into the old school ways.'

Joe, 26

'I came here a couple of years ago – it’s just a really great festival. Not only the music but the extra little things they put on, the wonderful additional touches. I liked the disco night on Saturday, absolutely brilliant. I’m a funk-meister. I look like a hippie? Ah, that’s my dad’s hat I’m wearing. He likes to jazz his hats up.'

Natasha, 39, and Kathy, 32

Natasha: 'I love the attention to detail here, and the creative content is massive. I loved the Bollywood Bus – you can sit and drink on there. I loved the trilogy last night of Chic, Earth Wind & Fire and Kool and the Gang. Disco was way before my time, but I was still dancing down the front.' Kathy: 'I liked Henry Rollins. And the fireworks and video-mapping on the castle were amazing. We got quite teary.”'

Jenny, "early 50s", Joseph, 12, and Huxley, 12

Jenny: 'It’s our third year here. When you drive in, you just get happy. Everyone is so chilled. Although we forgot to shout "bogies" – Dick and Dom are here, and that’s what they say. It’s a Camp Bestival tradition. And last night everyone in their tents started shouting "Alan!", another tradition.' Joseph: 'I liked the mini-bikes. And Rizzle Kicks.' Huxley: 'I liked Jimmy Carr.'